The Philippine Navy (PN)’s first missile frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), is now certified to land and obtain on its flight deck the Leonardo AgustaWestland AW-159 “Wildcat” naval utility helicopter, which is the ship’s associate in finding and looking down hostile submarines. Traversing the trail of fleet interoperability, Crew FF-150 held deck touchdown qualification (DLQ) along with the ASW (anti-submarine warfare) ‘Wildcat’ Helicopter AW-159 (NH-441) final 09 August 2022. The DLQ is part of a collection of flight deck operations to additional take a look at and enhance current procedures, verify connectivity, system integration, and leveling of officers, pilots, sailors, and aircrew on flight operations.
Earlier than the precise deck touchdown, the ship’s crew and flight crew of the anti-submarine helicopter squadron had a collection of lectures and workshops to make sure the preparedness and security of personnel and flight deck tools. This exercise marks the start of warfare interoperability operations between our air and floor belongings which compliments the detection and engagement functionality of each items. The exercise concluded safely with no casualties and any faults from each platforms. As our Navy gears in the direction of growth and modernization, we be sure that our personnel (are) aligned with this innovation to maintain and adapt to the quick and rising naval warfare know-how and optimize our belongings to their full functionality.
Commercial
The AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat (beforehand referred to as the Future Lynx and Lynx Wildcat) is a British army helicopter. It’s an improved model of the Westland Tremendous Lynx designed to serve within the battlefield utility, search and rescue and anti-surface warfare roles. Whereas the AW159 shares broad similarities in look to the Lynx, it has vital design variations and is closely modernised and tailored to realize new attributes and performance. In British service, frequent variants are being operated by each the Royal Navy and British Military, having changed their Lynx Mk.7/8/9 predecessors. The AW159 has additionally been provided to a number of export prospects, and has been ordered by the Republic of Korea Navy and the Philippine Navy.
In March 2016, AugustaWestland signed a €100 million contract with the Philippine Division of Nationwide Protection for 2 helicopters together with coaching and assist. The undertaking goals to offer anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface capabilities to the Navy. Previous to the introduction of the Wildcat, the Philippines lacked any ASW capabilities in a area the place the variety of submarines being operated by different nations was reportedly set to develop. The PN’s two AW-159 anti-submarine helicopters had been delivered on Might 7, 2019, and commissioned on June 17 of the identical yr. They may also be armed with rockets, machine weapons, missiles, torpedoes, and depth prices and fitted with fashionable sonar programs for monitoring down submarines. The AW-159s had been acquired to enhance the Jose Rizal-class frigates’ ASW capabilities.
